Hamilton Relay Recognizes Leader in Nebraska

From: Hamilton Relay - Sep 26, 2006

In honor of National Deaf Awareness Week, Hamilton Relay recognizes Dr. George Conrad Propp as the 2005 deaf leader for the State of Nebraska.

George Propp was born to Russian-German immigrants in Scottsbluff, NE in 1922. When he became deaf at the age of 15, he transferred to the Nebraska School for the Deaf where he graduated in 1940. He attended the University of Nebraska, Omaha and got his bachelors degree. He earned his Masters at the University of Chicago, and his doctorate at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He married Eleanor Cuscaden and had 4 children.

In addition to his educational accomplishments, George was a teacher at the Nebraska School for the Deaf, coaching both the football and basketball teams. He participated as a member of the Nebraska Journal editorial team, writing many articles under the title of "Nothing Fatal". Prior to his retirement, Dr. Propp served as a professor at the University of Nebraska.

During the course of his career, Dr. Propp was involved in the following organizations: the Council of American Instructors of the Deaf, Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf, National Association of the Deaf, Nebraska Association of the Deaf, Nebraska School for the Deaf Alumni Association, and many more. He also served on the boards of these organizations.

Dr. Propp was instrumental in establishing the Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in 1979. He was also involved in the development of Barkley Memorial Center, National Technical Institute for the Deaf, and Model Secondary School for the Deaf in Washington, D.C.

He was a teacher, visionary, and a leader, but also a story teller. Dr. Propp remained interested in the affairs of the Deaf community until his death on Monday, July 3rd, 2006.

This leadership recognition has been brought to you by Hamilton Relay.